Babar Azam insulted! Steve Smith's BBL rival trolls Pakistan ace for outdated T20 batting

Babar Azam and Steve Smith in BBL [Source: @TsMeSalman/x.com]

The Sydney derby in Big Bash League 2025-26 on Friday had everything. A thumping chase, a Steve Smith masterclass and a moment that lit up social media long after the result was done and dusted. 

While the Sydney Sixers cruised to a five-wicket win over the Sydney Thunder, it was the awkward mid-pitch drama involving Babar Azam that stole the limelight. Smith’s message was subtle but loud. The follow-up, though, was anything but subtle. 

Smith takes charge and sets the tone

Chasing a target of 190, the Sixers needed a steady start and Steve Smith delivered in style. Calm early, ruthless later, Smith anchored the innings and went on to smash a blistering century that broke the game wide open.

Alongside him was Babar Azam, and the pair stitched together a century stand that gave the Sixers full control. On paper, it looked like a perfect partnership. In reality, there were cracks bubbling just under the surface.

The turning point came in the 11th over, just before the power surge. Babar, on 47 off 36 balls, had struggled to rotate strike. Three dots later, he nudged the ball to long-on and called for a single. Smith shut it down instantly. No eye contact, no hesitation, ust a firm no.

At that moment, Smith was flying at 52 off 28 and wanted full control heading into the surge. Tactically, it made sense. Optically, it didn’t look great. Babar’s frustration was visible as the two exchanged words mid-pitch.

If there were any doubts about Smith’s call, they vanished in seconds. Smith took strike and absolutely picked the bones out of Ryan Hadley, launching four consecutive sixes in what turned into the most expensive over in BBL history.

Later, Smith clarified that the decision was purely tactical. But the broadcast had already added fuel to the fire.

Chris Green twists the knife on air with cheeky remark on Babar Azam

That is when Chris Green entered the chat and didn’t hold back.

Speaking on air, Green laid bare the Thunder’s thinking around Babar’s T20 game. His words were blunt and brutally honest.

“We want to get Babar Azam facing as many balls as possible up front. He likes to ease his way in and then play catch-up. So try and force him to hit.”

Moments later, a commentator piled on, suggesting Smith’s refusal hinted at a simple message: "you can’t hit a six". Harsh? Maybe. But in T20 cricket, perception is everything.

Cover Drive

@day6596

Chris Green was saying that they are trying that Babar face as many balls as possible becz he plays the catch up game Naah man players all around the world know these statpadders very well..They dont try to take his wkt so that he play more balls #BBL15

Jan 16, 2026, 7:16 PM

Numbers don’t lie, but they don’t tell the full story either

Babar’s T20 resume is still elite. He sits among the top run-scorers in the format and has 11 T20 centuries, second most in history. But there is another side.

Among batters to have faced over 7,000 balls in T20 cricket, Babar’s strike rate of 128.59 is the fourth lowest. In Australia this season, that contrast has been glaring.

Despite two half-centuries, Babar has managed just 201 runs in nine BBL innings at a strike rate of 107.8. In a league built on power and intent, that has been hard to ignore.

Modern T20 is ruthless and patience is thin

This incident summed up modern T20 cricket in one snapshot. Momentum over milestones. Intent over reputation. And no room for easing in.

Smith played the situation. And Babar was left wearing it on the biggest stage. In the end, the Sixers walked away with the points. But the real takeaway was clear. In today’s game, if you don’t strike while the iron is hot, someone else will do it for you.